Vocab Volley
This refers to the bouncing/sending back of energy waves.
What is reflection?
This instrument shows the current time using shadows cast onto a dish.
What is a sundial?
[Triple Points]
As the moon changes phases, it is said to be _______ and _________.
What is waxing and waning?
This is a continuous sequence or range, as of color or electromagnetic energy
What is a spectrum?
This is what Carl Sagan did for a living.
What is a scientist, author, and science communicator?
This refers to an energy wave changing direction as a result of passing through a material or other disruption
What is refraction?
This is the point at which rays of light converge after reflection or refraction.
What is the focal point?
[Extra 100 points]
[Double Points] 2 Parts:
1. The moon orbiting Earth is an example of a ________
2. The moon experiences _______________ with Earth, keeping one side of the moon facing the Earth at all times.
1. What is a satellite?
2. What is tidal locking?
This type of photograph allows us to view "star trails" as the Earth spins at night.
What is long exposure?
[Triple Points]
This contradictory thought experiment asks "Where are all the aliens?"
What is the Fermi Paradox?
This device measures the spectrum of incoming data
What is a spectrometer?
[Extra 100 Points]
This is why the seasons are different in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
What is the Earth's tilted axis?
The Apollo 11 spacecraft was built to shield astronauts from this type of radiation.
What is ionizing radiation?
[Double Points]
This academic institution's observatory employed a large number of female scientists that made amazing discoveries about our universe.
What is Harvard University?
This movie showcases astronaut jack-of-all-trades Mark Watney as he struggles to survive in a hostile environment.
What is "The Martian?"
[1/2 Points Curse]
This is a cluster of millions or billions of stars
What is a galaxy?
This is the North Star, which appears to remain fixed in the sky.
What is Polaris?
This "traveling companion" was the first artificial satellite put into orbit.
What is Sputnik?
This is how objects appear to the eye relative to their distance and position. EX: The view from the ground vs. the view from an airplane
What is perspective?
[1/4 Points Curse]
This formula provides an estimate for the number of intelligent alien civilizations we have yet to contact.
What is the Drake Equation?
This is a cosmic body with gravitational force so great that light cannot escape it
What is a black hole?
[1/2 Points Curse]
This is an astrological observation that centers on twelve constellations that feature prominently in astrological mythology and appear in the night sky in a repeating annual pattern
What is a zodiac?
This is a scientific and political competition between USSR and USA to achieve milestones in space travel.
What is the Space Race?
[1/2 Points Curse]
[Double Points]
This woman created algorithms that helped us to generate the first images of a black hole.
Who is Katie Bouman?
This solution to the question of "are we alone" places a large barrier all life must clear behind us or ahead of us.
What is a Great Filter?